Page 17 of Jake

“You’re welcome. Remember to keep your voices soft, and your food will be out shortly.”

Lauren lowered herself into the booth and slid over, doing her best to not make a noise.

“Nice to meet you, L.” Her date’s deep baritone slid over her.

“I’m so sorry I kept you waiting.”

It was dark in here, but there were some areas that glowed, so she could see where her silverware was and a button at the end of the table. It definitely heightened her senses as she listened to everything around her.

“It’s okay. I understand things happen. Unfortunately, I didn’t see your message until right before they brought me back or I would have replied sooner,” he said.

“This is very . . . strange,” Lauren said, for lack of a better word.

His low laugh rumbled over her, leaving a shiver in its wake. “I agree. This is my second date here, and it was more awkward the first time,” he admitted.

“I forgot you’ve done this before.” She kept her voice just above a whisper.

“I’d like to forget,” he mumbled. “How are you tonight? I hope I didn’t pull you away from anything too important?”

“No, nothing like that,” she assured him, probably a little too quickly.

“It wasn’t an accusation, I promise,” he soothed.

“Sorry, I really hate that I made you wait. It’s not like me to be late for anything.” She did her absolute best not to be late for anything. Since not running late because of Fiona anymore, she was now punctual without fault and it did a lot to make her feel better mentally to now have that added stress of being behind before the day began.

“It’s not a problem, seriously. Think nothing of it.” Ice moved in a glass as he paused. “I had much of the day off and was actually here a little early myself, so it’s not a big deal.”

“So you waited even longer? Now I really feel bad.” Lauren managed not to groan out loud.

“No, I didn’t say it to make you feel bad. I was only saying I wasn’t doing anything,” he rushed out.

“If you say so.”

“I do.” There was a smile in his tone, or she imagined there was, anyway.

“Your food is here,” a male voice spoke from her left. “I also have your water, ma’am.”

“Thank you.” Lauren waited as the food and her drink were added to the table with a soft white glow.

“Please press the button at the end of the table if you think of anything you need.”

Lauren reached for her glass of water, finding it bizarre to pick it up from the small glowing circle. She took a sip and ever so carefully placed it back where it was, terrified she would set it in the wrong place or on something and spill it everywhere.

“What did you order?” J asked.

“Oh, just a salad with goat cheese, you?”

“The same, actually. It’s very odd to eat here. I feel like I’m going to make a mess.”

Lauren relaxed a little with that knowledge. “I was scared it was just me that felt like that. I was practically shaking trying to set my water back down.”

J laughed. “You are certainly not alone.”

“I find it odd to eat food I really can’t see, to be honest.”

“Same for me. I didn’t eat much last time either, but then I was mostly trying to leave,” he confessed.

“That bad?”

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